Amanda, You're an Energizer

Visual DNA & Personality Quiz results
(this quiz is done by answering questions with pictures)
Take the quiz NOW!

I took this quiz, and it's weird how totally accurate it is. Find out more about me, by reading my results!

Amanda, You're an Energizer

Spirit You're an Energizer. A true original with a great sense of humor and spontaneous streak, you're fun to be around and love being at the centre of the action. Things might be feeling a bit monotonous at the moment. You could probably do with shaking things up and having a break from your usual routine. When it comes to bringing positive change to your life, don't try to move mountains. Baby steps are definitely the way forward. For example, if you'd like to lose weight, don't set yourself up to fail with unrealistic goals. Be kind to yourself and remember that slow and steady wins the race. For a lively people person like you, it's especially important to balance the "up" times with some quiet and reflective downtime. You can't expect yourself to run on all cylinders 100 percent of the time. The value of quiet time to meditate on your hopes and desires shouldn't be underestimated.

Relationship You would like to be able to share your spiritual side with your new partner. Feeling at peace with the world comes naturally when you're travelling life's path with your soulmate. You're a deeply passionate person and will go to extreme lengths for love. You're naturally open and find it easy to make connections. It's all about intuition and chemistry and being swept off your feet. Love means opening yourself up to intense experiences that you'll remember for the rest of your life. You are expressive and sensual and, so making a strong physical connection is important to you. It feels really good to lose yourself in the moment. There's nothing like being in love to put a smile on your face, butterflies in your stomach and a spring in your step.

Relationship tips:
So you're Passionate but what tips can we give for when you're looking for love?
Take it easy. Allowing your new relationship to develop gradually would be a really healthy approach for you. Slow and steady wins the race in this case.
Make friends. Connecting on a physical level is really important to you. But set strong foundations by getting to know each other first.
Slow and steady wins the race. Take things at a sensible pace so you'll keep your feet on the ground and stay realistic about what will work in your everyday life.
You are naturally warm and trusting. Just make sure to follow your instincts and listen to your head as well as your heart before diving in too deep.

Money You're an adventurer at heart, and love to see new places when you get the chance. Expanding your horizons can really help to put things into perspective. The true mark of success for you is a happy home. It is the main focus of your life and the center of all your aspirations. You're happiest when you feel settled and comfortable. True fulfillment for you is in having strong, loving relationships with family and friends. If they're healthy and happy, that's all that matters to you

Health Unappealing as it may seem, it would be good to try to be a bit more active every day. You might be surprised at how much you'd actually enjoy regular exercise. It may sound hard to believe, but endorphins are better than chocolate if you just give them a chance! You may even find that you're in a better mood more often. Start off with something that isn't too intimidating, like climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator. You might even consider signing up for a few personal training sessions in the gym so that you have a program that's tailored just for you. You may need to think about making a few changes what you eat too. Maybe you could try making homemade versions of your favorite restaurant meals to reduce the sodium and fat content and eat healthier without compromising too much on taste.

Home Ever stopped to dream about your perfect life, even for a bit? Thought so! In fact, your grounded nature suggests your dream life isn't too far out of reach. You're not fantasizing about exotic villas or huge mansions - you'd probably be more comfortable in a beautiful house in the suburbs. A nice neighborhood and friendly neighbors would go a long way for you.

Entertainment You're an outdoorsy person, happiest when you can get out into the fresh air and explore what the countryside has to offer. You can't beat a few quiet hours in the peace of nature to be alone with your thoughts. Perfect for feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

Style Classic and classy just about sums you up! You're down-to-earth and practical with a laid-back approach to life. Whether you're just grabbing a coffee or off on exotic travels, you're always cool, calm and collected.

Travel You're open-minded and a positive thinker, so when you get the chance to go traveling, you love to head somewhere exotic and off the beaten track. For you, escapism is the ultimate in relaxation. It's the perfect antidote to the stress of everyday life. You love the feel of the sun and sea on your skin, so your perfect vacation would definitely include a beach. Even better if it's secluded and undiscovered by hordes of tourists!

Try one more time

Imagine a world where if you failed at something, you gave up on it. Where would we be?

Think of all the things you've tried, failed, and tried again. How many of those chances have you succeeded in the end? What if you would've given up after the first attempt?

Our world would be a lot darker. I know of many famous people who never gave up. 

Walt Disney for example, he was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff. Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded.  Michael Jordan and Bob Cousy were each cut from their high school basketball teams. Jordan once observed, "I've failed over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed." And finally, Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him "hopeless as a composer." And, of course, you know that he wrote five of his greatest symphonies while completely deaf.

"Our greatest joy is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

I have a friend who might of not had the best of luck with relationships (I am not one to talk). He is a very dear friend to me, and I've always been there for him when his girlfriends and him would fight or break up. Just recently one of his girlfriends and him broke up for good. They were together for awhile... But you know what I learned from him? No matter how much someone hurts you. Never give up. Not everyone is the same. He had the guts to stand back up after being pushed down and be the amazing person that he is. Imagine if he stayed down there in the dirt. He would of felt defeated and, probably useless. Which is a complete lie. I am proud of him, after everything he has been through, he hasn't given up. If he gives up now.... how will he meet the love of his life? But he didn't, so I know he will find the perfect one for him. He has such a heart of gold. 

What's the secret to success? Not giving up. Once you give up, you're finished. The race is over. There is no more chance at winning unless you pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and try again.

I've found that giving up is the easy thing to do. But it takes courage to keep going. It takes courage to say that even though you've fallen down, that you're going to get back up and do better than before. I have met so many people that have given up. They think they're too old, too "far in", that they're not good enough. Everyone is good enough, in fact better than good enough, and everyone has the same opportunities. I don't want to hear excuses anymore. If you want something. GO AFTER IT. AND DON'T GIVE UP. Stop making excuses. 

Who are you here to be accountable to? Others or yourself? People won't care if you fall down. They are consumed with their own little lives to care enough if you pick yourself back up, or if you lay there on the ground. You need to do things for yourself, even when it seems like the most impossible thing in the world. Defy the odds. When the world says, "give up," Hope whispers, "try it one more time."

A man that inspirse me is Nick Vujicic. 

He has no arms, and no legs. But he doesn't give up. 

Never give up. Nick Vujicic's testimony

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.

Thankfulness

It's the first day in November today. 


I'm gonna post something I'm thankful for on each day this month.


1.I am thankful for my church family. I don't know where I would be without their love and guidance throughout my life. To have mentors such as Miss. Suzanne, Lorette, Shawnie, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Bixler, and many more <3
2. I am thankful for my families. Not only my biological family, but the families who have taken me in through the years. People like Skyler Thompson, and Dee-dee, The Gottas. Cherilyn Gotta, Christina, Dianna, Mel and Mike. The Kaisers. Stacie Kaiser, and Mr. & Mrs. Kaiser. And of course Mike and Jessie Romanoff. 
3. As many people dislike the seasons changing, I embrace every one. Had we not have winter, we could not enjoy spring as much. Had we not have the beautiful summer, we would not be able to enjoy the wonderful change of leaves into fall. I am thankful for every season, and all the different weather, outfits, and emotions each one brings.
4. When you think of a job, you think of tedious boring work, that you get paid minimum wage that you have to do, and at the end of the day, it's your job. Nothing important. But I am BEYOND blessed to have a wonderful job during the summer time. In fact it's not a "job" to me. I am just getting paid to do what I LOVE. I am so thankful for Blue Mountain Christian Retreat, and for all the people I've met there. I got to grow up there thanks to my mom-mom who would bring my sister and I every summer for a week. Working there, I've met people who will be in my life forever. BMCR is a second home for me. The people there are my family, and the kids I get to teach? Pshhh, they also mean the world to me. I love my Jr. Highers beyond words, and the impact that they have in my life is beyond what they can ever imagine. I love the place, my job, the atmosphere, my "family" there, and my very special JR. Highers who have blessed me. Like I said... I am VERY thankful for all that I get to experience in the summers.
5. My friends are unbeatable. Through the years, the ones who have been there for me, through the ups and the downs, the good and bad, and always giving me tough love when I needed it. Special people like Katie Bradley, Alli Williams, Korinne Baker, and Teddi Hermes. Of course there are the others who I havent known as long as these ladies, but people who have made me smile when all i wanted to do was cry. I am thankful for Amber, Dom, April, Julia, Stacie W. and Stacie K. 
6. I've been in college for 3 1/2 years now. And I've been in an organization called The Association of Campus Events (ACE). We are a board of students who put together trips, shows, games, and activities for other students on campus to participate in. We've done things like NYC broadway show excursions, comedians, salsa dancing, jasons woods trip, build a bear, game shows, double dare, and many more. People come and go from the board, but I've been there since I've been here at school, and it's truly helped shape who I am. I've learned time management skills, leadership skills, I've learned how to listen to and follow rules, I've learned how to work together with a team of people. I am so thankful for what this organization has given me, and the friends and qualities that I've gained through my experience. 
7. I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to attend College. 
Day 8. I am thankful for living in the United States. If you think about other countries and how impoverished they are, you should feel thankful too. Did you know that the world creates enough food for every person on the planet to have at least 3-4,000 calories a day? We are so lucky and blessed to have what we have. Freedom of religion, of speech, houses, education, and CLEAN water. 
Day 9. I am thankful for flowers. they make the world more beautiful. I actually bought Stacie, Stacey and myself some tonight. :)


"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."--Oprah Winfrey

My Love Language

I've been reading a book called "The Five Love Languages- Singles Edition". It's been very eye opening for me on the topic of relationships and love. I've read the quote before, "Just because somebody doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with everything they got". After reading this book-this quote really makes sense to me. There are 5 primary love languages, and everyone has a love language. Each one is unique and different. When I read this book, I realized why some of my relationships didn't work out in the past. Just like the quote says, even though I was loving that person with everything I had inside of me, they didn't feel that love, because I was most likely showing them my love through my primary love language and not theirs. My boyfriends and I would argue about things all the time like this. One guy would call me all the time and I feel like he always needed to talk to me 24/7 but I am very independent and found that slightly annoying. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't my fault. His love language must of been words of affirmation, while mine are quality time and acts of service. Right there was our problem with getting along, we had different love languages, and didn't know how to show each other the correct love language that we were both craving.That's why it's essential to not only know your love language, but to learn and know the love language of those around you, especially your partner. I took this test online to make sure of my primary love language. I just so happen to have two. Here are my results and what they mean:

2	Words of Affirmation
9	Quality Time
7	Receiving Gifts
9	Acts of Service
3	Physical Touch

Quality Time

In Quality Time, nothing says “I love you” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes you feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Maybe you don't feel appreciated. It's possible that your someone special never shows you affection the way that you want it. I advise that you take this test. Read the book. Perhaps you will also come to a point where you realize why past relationships didn't work, and how to improve your current or future relationships. Enjoy :)

Take the test to find your love language

Read/Buy the book

Golden heart

Are you happy with your life and they way it's leading into your future?

Majority of us have bad habits and things we would like to change about ourselves. My question is, why don't you?

If you stopped right now and did an evaluation in your life, would you be happy with what you've accomplished? Is there something you wish you would've done, someone you would've talked to, or that chance you should have taken? Now my motto is to not have any regrets, because every decision you've made, or haven't made, has brought you to be the person that you are today.

But what if you're not happy with who you are? What if you looked at your life and aren't thrilled about what your past has been, and you want to make your future superior to what the past has been? You know that you can make better choices, that you can be a person with a heart of gold. Many times we know someone with a heart of gold. When you look past all the sins, all the impurities, bad decisions, and all the defective things holding that person back from their potential, you see their glowing heart of gold. But that baggage is there and we cant ignore it, because if we do, we are just falling into denial. All the negative choices, and all the sins take a hold of that golden heart and not only tarnish it, but damage it.

We usually have a profound desire to help that person, but we can't help them until they help themselves. I can't help you, until you first help yourself.

And that's the bottom line.

You know what's right. You know what's wrong. It's your life, and you only get one.

This moment that you're in right now, reading this blog, will never happen again. Fathom that. The age that you are currently will never come to pass again.
Are you being the best person you can be? Because you only live this life once.

And as much as I would like to make the right choices for you, only you can make them for yourself.

The choices you make, might just make me slip away. What do you want?

The choice is yours.

"If someone can't stop doing things that you don't want them to do, it only means that they love those things more than they love you."

Apply your life.

       I sit in my class and admire the new Vera Bradley bag the girl in front of me has. Walking to my next class I notice that girls awesome hot pink Nikes that look like they just came off the shelf. Eventually when I get home I look in the fridge and cabinets and complain because I want more than the options that I have in my cupboard. I moan and grumble because there is "nothing to eat" (how many times a day do we come home, look in our fridge and say this?) I get excited over new iPhone updates, and going shopping to buy my new printer.
But a question for you is... How much did you spend on your coffee or energy drink this morning? The shoes on your feet, how expensive were they? You grabbed lunch today at the local Chick-fil-A, and you easily paid with that $10 bill in your pocket. You went home, filled up your water bottle full of cool, clean, pure water.
        There is a little girl in the Dominican Republic who can't afford to go to school. There is an old woman in Guatemala who doesn't have legs. She wears oven mits on her hands and pulls herself around the dirty streets. In Africa they eat diseased monkey because that's all that they can afford/catch. 40% of the world lives on less than $2.15 a day. 1.82 million people live on less than $1.25 a day. That is extreme poverty. We have so much, but choose to keep it all to ourselves.

         Being that I am a senior in college, I've been asked a lot these past few weeks what my major is. Of course I answer with, "I'm majoring in Sociology and minoring in social work." Therefore people automatically think I want to be a social worker. That's not the case at all. People then go on to ask me what I want to do after graduation, either go on to get my masters, or go right into finding a job. I say neither. My hearts desire is to use my talents that God has given me, in Guatemala.

          As most of you know I have been to Guatemala twice, and each time I was there, I fell more and more in love with the people and the culture. The first time I was there (2008), we went to an orphanage and did a service and activities for the children. On the one wall there was the scripture, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who bring tidings of good things." (This is a story that I've only told a few people because it truly means a lot to me. But if it means a lot to me, and made a huge impact in my life, why not tell others?) This past year I started going to bible study at my college, and we happened to be reading through the book of Romans. During this time things were getting down to the point where I had to start deciding what to do with my life. As we sat there in bible studying reading verse by verse, we came across Romans 10:15. And this verse really stuck out to me. As it read, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" I thought to myself, wow!!! God works in crazy ways. Right here, in the simplest way, God's saying "HEY AMANDA, You know your heart is in Guatemala. You know you can use your talents over there. HELLO- this is a sign! Open your eyes!" and I did. It was right there in front of me in my bible, telling me that my calling, which for now, is in an orphanage, in Guatemala.

Girls orphanage in Guatemala 2010

         These children have nothing. Yet they are happy. We have everything. Yet are not satisfied. How does that measure up? I am willing to give much more than my money to others. I am willing to give of myself. I am planning on going to Guatemala for (hopefully) a year after I graduate (on May 12th 2012 may I add!) college, and work/live/stay at a girls orphanage and use my God given talents to be an authority figure, a friend, and a mom to these girls when they need one. I want to give myself to these people who don't have anything. On the side I want to do ministry. Meet people and children from the village. Give them something worth so much more than money. Life itself. I still need to get details worked out, but rest assured, I hope I will.

What I want to ask you is, what are you doing with your life? Are you making a difference? There is not just a need for help in other countries. There is a need right here in America. Washington D.C. , Philadelphia, Camden, Reading, just to name a few around the area. My church goes to DC every Christmastime to feed the homeless and do services. It is by far one of my favorite parts of my year. Being able to put a smile on someones face is as simple as a hug to someone who hasn't had someone embrace them in years. As simple as handing a sandwich out, to someone who has nothing to eat for dinner.


Making a difference in someones life isn't rocket science. But it's all up to you.

The talents that God gave you, are you going to keep them and use them for yourself, or are you going to go out there, and show people what an amazing God we serve by applying yourself and sharing what you have?

Settling ?

Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do."
It's unusual how much we are all blessed with a brain and the ability to use it, but how many of us truly utilize the fact that we know that we have it?

Our brain can be deceived though, by something that looks good and feels good. Most of the time in these situations, our hearts are involved. But how do we know what is right and what is wrong? Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, all who follow his precepts have good understanding."

Many times in my life have I let my heart get the best of me. I've let it speak over my brain, I've let it speak over my friends good advice, and most importantly, but most shameful, I've let my own heart speak over the heart of the Lord.
This is one of my biggest downfalls, but by calling out my faults, I am acknowledging them and clearly letting myself know what I need to change.

As I get older I learn more and more. I'm not saying I know everything, but I sure so know a lot more than I knew a year ago. I'm slowly learning the ways of my heart and the things its chooses, and the things that is chooses, that it shouldn't choose. Being that I am 20 years young, almost 21, I have a strong desire  to fall in love, get married, have children, own a house, and essentially start my life with my significant other. It seems that I always search for love in all the wrong places. I know that I love Jesus, I know that he is my all in all, and that he can fill every void in my life, but he will never replace the love and affection of my future earthly husband. So of course I am searching for the "one". I also know that I need to have patience and let God bring the perfect man into my life, but it seems my heart always takes over this part of my life. I am always searching, always wondering, if he could be the one.
I seem to fall for the guys who put on a good face. Of course there are things that attract me to a guy. A guy with a heart warming smile, someone who can play acoustic guitar, someone who loves kids as much as I do, and most importantly I desire someone with a pure loving heart.

I've been doing decently good with the first few things, but lately I've been falling for guys who are liars, guys who love to play games with my heart, guys who don't follow Jesus, guys who are needy, and on the other end of the spectrum, guys who I don't talk to enough, then forget I exist.

It hurts me the most when I think that someone is being untruthful with me, and I later find out they've been lying to me the whole time. It hurts me because all that I've put into that person, I'm still not worth the truth, but I am worth the truth. If you cant be truthful to me, then God bless you, but you're not worth my time and I am taking a stand for what I believe in, and that is knowing that I, Amanda Wright, I am worth the truth, no matter what.

I want someone who follows Jesus as much as I do. If not as much, so much closer and more than me. I believe that I need someone who can help me strengthen my faith rather than tear it down, or keep me at a stand still. My dream is for my husband to be the head of the household, and to take my family and I to church. I know that I am a child of God and he has someone really great for me, but I need to have patience and let God do all the choosing, not my own heart.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will guide your path. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

I've been hurt so many times that I am starting to build walls up and not trust anyone unless they've earned it. I am tired of liars, I'm tired of people not caring enough, not just about themselves, but also about me. I've been told once, "Never settle for anything less than you deserve." I'm done settling for the losers, the liars, the douche bags, and the players. I'm waiting for God to place Mr. Right in my life at the right moment, to take away my title of Miss. Wright.

For those of you out there struggling and searching for the one, or are in an ehh relationship, ask yourself if you are settling. Most of us are. But these settling relationships hurt us, and in no way benefit us, rather than keeping us in or below our comfort zone. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us , "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

If you clog up your heart with all the wrong relationships, all the wrong attractions, and the wrong reasons for being with someone, you are slowly clogging your connection to life, your heart.

When you block your heart with the things that you want, there is no room for what God wants. Our lives pour out from our hearts and if they are fogged with worldly things, ungodly relationships, lies, hurts and so on, our lives will suffer.

So remember to have patience, "But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."- Romans 8:24-25.

We, mostly I, need to remember that love is patient. Not only patiently waiting, but also guarding our hearts from all who want to clog it and take a piece that doesn't belong to them, while we are waiting.

The Lord your God loves you, and he never wants you to settle for anything less than you deserve. He wants you to patiently wait for the VERY BEST, and in the meantime, guard that little gentle heart of yours.

Thankful For......

I am thankful for...

...the mess to clean up after a party

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay

because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug

because it means I have enough to eat.

...my shadow who watches me work

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

...all the complaining I hear about our government

because it means we have freedom of speech.

...that lady behind me in church who sings off key

because it means that I can hear.

...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home.

...my huge heating bill

because it means that I am warm.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

because it means that I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

because it means that I am alive. by Nancie J. Carmody

My heart- Blue Mountain Christian Retreat

For those of you who don't know about Blue Mountain Christian Retreat, you should. I've been a camper there for 10+ years and as of the summer of 2010, I was a Children's Ministry staff there. Despite the hard work and dedication it took, I loved the job, and my co-workers. One thing that boggles my mind the most is my Sr. High counselors Matthew and Julianne,  go from being my counselors in the summer of 2009, to my co-workers in the summer of 2010. Summer of 2010 was filled with many different experiences for me.


I went to Guatemala on a missions trip with many close friends, and right after I got back from the trip, I was shipped off to Blue Mt. to start my work as a Jr. high Childrens Ministry Leader. It was interesting to finally be behind the scenes of everything that I've experienced as a camper there. I got to live in a room with 6 bunk beds, and 5 other girls. It was definitely an experience. We now have many inside jokes, and got to be really good friends. We learned to love one another just the way we are, let our guards down, and became sisters.

A summer at the Mt. includes, waking up at the crack of dawn (that's what it feels like), breakfast (if you make it on time), devotions (created and lead by a CM staff), then service begins. Blue Mountain is a family camp. Children/youth come with their families and we are only responsible for them during services, and during youth/childrens ministry activities.  We (campers and staff) all worship together, and then brother Chris (the founder of the camp) speaks and dismisses the children to their classes. Kids and their families normally stay for a week (Tuesday-Sunday morning) and we have two services/classes a day. One lesson out of the week we have a campfire night, pool morning, in-service night, and gym morning. All in all it's a pretty amazing job. I get to be a role model to kids/youth and I get to work with the most amazing people and touch lives of the people around me. After I left Blue Mt I wasnt sure if God was calling me back there, and so I told my friends I wasnt sure. They all said I would be back and that they would pray for me to be back. I went to visit the Mt. and my co-workers and youth at Youth weekend at the end of October. It was a nice reunion. I did in fact re-apply to BMCR and got hired back again <3

On November 18th at 2:30 AM, the main building at Blue Mountain which included the sanctuary, lobby, offices, dining area, kitchen, snack shop, nursery, and preschool, burnt to the ground.

When I found out I feel like I had lost a part of my life. The building where I had spent years as a camper, and the building that I walked into everyday of last summer, was now rubble. It is going to take a lot of money and a lot of time to rebuild the new building. *If you would like to make a donation towards the rebuilding of this wonderful, family-oriented retreat, it would be greatly appreciated.  Checks can be made out to Blue Mountain Christian Retreat and mailed to: 1 Christian Lane New Ringgold, PA 17960-earmarked for "Rebuilding".  You can also visit their  website at http://bmcr.org/.  * It unfortunately will not be rebuilt by this summer, but we are praying for a miracle. I am trying to design the t-shirts for this years CM staff. Here are the ideas. (I really wanted to incorporate the fire and the growth that is coming out of it on the design. )

So as I end off my junior year of college, I am looking forward to summer 2011 as I travel to the Dominican Republic on a missions trip with my church, and in June I head off to the Mt. for a summer with my kiddies, and some new CM staff, and some old ones. This will indeed be a summer of growing and learning, laughing, and memories.
Give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory.
They'll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. -Isaiah 61:3 (The Messge)




 

To see the video I made for Blue Mountain, feel free to watch it: 

Also check out Trina Schellhammers blog about the camp and it's new designs for the building!
 

God never gives us more than we can handle.

My dad and his brother Adam

Today, April 20th, is my dad's 42nd birthday. I haven't seen him or spoken to him for at least 18 years. He left for California when I was 3. He might of hurt me and my mother, I love my daddy. Sometimes I ask myself how do I love someone that I don't even remember? I really don't know. He's my daddy, whether he's physically here or not. Even where I have empty spots and holes in my heart from missing something, God takes time out of HIS schedule to fill in MY heart.  It's an inside battle all the time thinking what could of been if I had my dad around. What if he just called me one day? What if he still cares about me?  What if he thinks about me everyday? What if he has a new daughter? A happy family? What if he wishes me a happy birthday on MY birthday?

My struggle to find my dad and get in contact with him will never end until the day that I take my last breath.

I've been observing my life lately, and I've been hurt a lot. I've been raised by an alcoholic mother. I was put into foster care when I was 8. I was then introduced to my home church Tri-County worship center. My mom has been in and out of jail. I've lived with friends. I've seen my mom almost beat to death. I've been in the same house as high older men. I've seen my mom come stumbling in the door at 3 AM drunk. I've seen the worst of the worst, but I wouldnt give anything up for the world. I would never change one night, one phone call, one conversation, one word. What I have been through has brought me to be the person that I am today. God broke me in half. God really cut me to the core. He needed to show me what NOT to do in life. There was no other way that I would've learned it. Even though I was broken and hurting, God met me where I was, and accepted me. He told me if I turned to him everything would be okay. I hurt, so that someday I can help the hurting. It's my calling. Gods love has guided the way for my feet and he has a special purpose for my life.

Everyday is stressful for students. We have tests, work, school to pay for, projects, meetings, etcetc. I remind myself of this "So don't ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"- Matthew 6:34. 

I am thankful for all the people that have come into my life to encourage me. You really have a special place in my heart.

This weekend Tri-County is having cardboard testimonies at the end of our service, and I was asked to participate. Basiaclly what it is, is a piece of cardboard where on one side you write a few words or a sentence about what your life what like before Jesus, and then on the flip side, you write about what God has done to change that.

Mine will read: "Raised by an alcoholic single mother who dated abusers (On the flip side) Now guided by Gods love to attend college and help others who are hurting" Click here to see a youtube video of a cardboard testimony

God teaches everyone differently, and the things that he put me through in life were just his way of teaching me my lessons. His plan is perfect, and so much bigger and better than mine. God has a hope and a future for ME. And for you. Never lose faith no matter what you're going through. If God brings you to it,. He will bring you through it.
Happy Birthday daddy.

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